Match packet protector



Feb. 15, 1944. c. c. coMEE:

MATCH PACKET PROTECTOR Filed Jah. l0, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A tloruey Feb. 15,'1944. c. c. coMEE MATCHPACKET PROTECTOR Filed Jan. 10, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Affari/q1' Patented Feb. 15, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATCH PACKET PROTECTOR Cyril C. Comee, Green Bay, Wis.

Application January 10, 1941*, Serial No. 373,998

(Cl. 20G- 33) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a match packet protector, and has for the primary object the provision of a device of this character which may be easily and quickly adapted to a match packet of the well known book type construction to exclude moisture and thereby maintain the match packet in proper condition for the quick and successful lighting of the matches when desired and still permit whatever message or printed matter that may be on the match packet to be clearly viewed.

With these and other objects in View as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement oi parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to 'be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a protector adapted to a match packet and constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the device closed.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the opposite face of the device from that shown in said Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the protector applied to the match packet.

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the modied form of the invention positioned for protecting the striking material of the match packet.

Figure 7 is a sectional view showing the modied form of the invention adapted to the conventional type of match packet.

Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the blank of the modified form of the invention.

Figure 9 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 9--9 of Figure 6.

It is a well known fact that match packets readily absorb moisture when carried in a persons garment Which moisture may be due to perspiration or some other cause rendering the packet unfit for use, that is, for igniting the matches thereof when needed. To overcome this objection and to provide an efficient and economical protector the present invention is provided which may be readily adapted to a match packet to guard the scratching material against moisture. The protector is indicated in one form of my invention by the character 5 and is in the form of a cover for the match packet indicated generally by the character 6. The cover is preferably constructed of a transparent waterproof material and consists of front and rear walls 1 and 8 foldable on the line 9. Straps El] are struck from the front and rear walls through which may be passed the front and rear walls of the match packet for maintaining the protector upon the packet and providing a construction which will permit the easy and quick application of the protector on the packet and the removal therefrom should it be desired.

The width of the front and rear walls'I and 8 is such that said walls will protrude a limited distance beyond thelongitudinal edges of the walls of the packet. The front Wall 1 of the protector is cut away adjacent one end and at opposite longitudinal edges to define flaps I I. A portion of the frontwall of the packet lies between the aps I I and is free to be iiexed with relation thereto for permitting its easy insertion within the retainer pocket I2 forming an integral part of the rear wall 8 and in which the base of the match packet carrying the striking material I3 snugly rits.

The pocket I2 is located at one end of the rear wall 8 of the protector and has formed therein an elongated opening I4 to expose the striking material I3 when the protector is in an open position. The elongated opening I4 may be formed in either the front or rear wall of the pocket. As shown in Figure 1, the elongated opening I4 is located in the front Wall of the pocket for the purpose of exposing the striking material I3 when applied to the match packet in the conventional way. However, some match packets now have the striking material on the rear wall of the packet and in this case the elongated opening I4 will be located in the rear wall of the pocket I2, as shown in Figure 3.

When the match packet is in a closed position the free end of the front wall of the packet is inserted inthe pocket l2 while the free end of the front wall 1 of the protector overlies the elonl gated opening with the flaps II frictionally contacting the ends of the pocket and thereby elciently protect the striking material I3 from moisture.

However, when the protector is used on a match packet having the striking material upon the rear wall a guard I5 is employed and is mounted in a slot I6 provided in the rear wall 8 of the protector. The guard I5 is capable of sliding in the slot to open and close the elongated opening when provided in the rear wall of the protector. One end of the guard is disposed outermost of the protector While the other end is lcated Within the pocket I2 and over the rear of the match packet so that when the guard is moved in one direction it Will close the opening I4 and when moved in an opposite direction Will open said opening I4 and expose the striking material for use.

The aps II frictionally engaging the ends of the pocket I2 will assist in holding the front Wall I of the protector in a closed position, also will act to assist in preventing lateral shifting of the packet within the protector.

The guard I5 is preferably constructed to provide an elongated portion slidable within the pocket I2 with a tongue-likel portion formed on one longitudinal edge thereof which extends through the slot I6 of the protector to provide a finger grip.

Referring to my modified form of the invention, the match packet is indicated in entirety by the character I'i and the front Wall I8v thereof has struck therefrom a strap I9 to slidably receive a guard Which in this instance includes an elongated portion 2l provided with pairs of fold lines 22 adjacent its ends to permit the end portions to be folded to present guide portions 23 which slidably engage with opposite edges of the front Wall I8 of the packet. 'Ihe guard further includes a tongue portion 24 integral with one longitudinal edge of the elongated portion 2l and which is slidable through the strap I9. The guard 20 is preferably constructed of transparent material so as not to obscure any message or printed matter on the match packet I'I,

When the match packet I1 is closed in the usual Way by having the free end of the front Wall I3 inserted under the retaining ap 25 on which the striking material is located, the guard 20 will overlie the striking material and thereby protect the latter against moisture, as clearly shown in Figure 6. When it is desired to ignite a match on the striking material the guard is slid on the front Wall of the packet by exerting a pull on the tongue 24 which clearly exposes or uncovers the striking material with the packet still in a closed position.

While I have shown and described the preierred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that minor changes in construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention what I claim is:

1. In a match packet protector, a transparent moistureproof cover including front and back Walls integrally connected for hinging movement and adapted to overlie corresponding Walls of a match packet, straps struck from the front and back Walls of said cover and extending transversely thereofvto slidably receive the front and back Walls of the match packet, a pocket on the back Wall of said cover and formed of the cover material to receive a base portion of the match paci t and having an elongated match striking op iig to expose match striking material carried hy the packet, and means on the cover to close the opening.

2. In a match Ipacket protector, a transparent moistureproof cover including front and back Walls integrally connected for hinging movement and adapted to overlie corresponding Walls of a match packet, straps struck from the front and back Walls of said cover and extending transversely thereof t0 slidably receive the front and back Walls of the match packet, a pocket on the back Wall of said cover and formed of the cover material to receive a base portion of the match packet and having an elongated match striking opening to expose match striking material carried by the packet, and flaps formed on one of the Walls of the cover to frictionally engage ends of the pocket to permit a portion of said Wall to overlie the opening While a Wall of the match packet is inserted in the pocket.

CYRIL C. COMEE. 

